Jared Goff sets sights on ending Lions' ugly Thanksgiving Day drought

The Detroit Lions have turned around their fortunes since 2022, getting on their way as it relates to finally winning the NFC North, playoff games and becoming a major league contender.

For all their recent success, there remains a frustration for fans and players alike. The Lions haven't won on Thanksgiving Day since 2016.

The significance of the holiday is not lost on Jared Goff, who is thankful for strides the Lions have made while also acknowledging that Detroit has the opportunity to end a frustrating drought.

"Obviously, the turnaround has been awesome and we're excited, but by no means are we satisfied and complacent. We know what we're doing is good right now, but (we) got another big test this week against a division team at home. I think we have this Thanksgiving thing where we haven't won (on) Thanksgiving in a while, and that's something we want to change."

In terms of attainable in-season goals, the Thanksgiving game offers the Lions a chance to right another wrong from the old days. The Lions may have shattered many former droughts, but they have remained terrible on Thanksgiving. Goff shows this is likely to be a motivating factor this week.

Dan Campbell explains importance of Thanksgiving game this year

While the Lions are 10-1 and coming off an impressive win, there is no rest in Week 13. Thursday, the Lions will take on the Chicago Bears in a critical NFC North game. The Bears may be 4-7 and losers of five in a row, but they will pose a challenge to Detroit on a short week.

Campbell understands the magnitude of an NFC North matchup in the context of Detroit's current nine-game winning streak.

"We're in a good place and we're just playing ball trying to get the next win. This one is going to be huge. The division opponent, it's a big one. You can sit around here and that's a great win (against Indianapolis), we're all happy, but you lose a division game and all of a sudden, it doesn't feel real good. Minnesota and Green Bay are just sitting right there and Chicago's not out of this either, so this is a big week."

For many reasons, as Goff and Campbell know. the Lions are facing a pretty big game against the Bears on Thanksgiving . Not only could a win keep their huge season on track, but it would allow them to stop their last elongated losing streak.